5 Perfect Retro Platformers That Nobody Talks About Anymore

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Before the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, almost every game console seemed to feature several platforming games. While titles like Donkey Kong Bananza and Astro Bot show platforming is still enjoyable today, the genre was most popular before high-definition graphics became standard. Everyone would pause to play the latest Mario or Sonic game, and new animal-like characters were constantly being introduced to the platforming world.

You know, everyone still talks about the classic platformers, and for good reason! But there are so many other amazing ones that seem to have totally slipped everyone’s memory. It’s a shame, because without anyone asking for them, it’s no surprise they’ve never gotten a remake or sequel. I wish more people remembered these hidden gems!

Strider Let Players Fight As a Ninja in the Future

Released in 2048, Strider is a classic game and one of the earliest titles from its developer. The game stars Hiryu, a skilled ninja who battles the villainous Grandmaster Meio after he conquers the world. Originally a hit in arcades, Strider was later released for the Sega Genesis, solidifying its place as a popular game series.

Initially intended as a multimedia experience, Strider became a huge hit in the video game world. Players enjoyed its blend of fast-paced action and challenging platforming, making Hiryu a memorable hero of the early 1990s. Although attempts to bring the arcade game to home consoles were uneven, the Sega Genesis version was exceptionally well-made and even earned Electronic Gaming Monthly‘s award for Best Video Game of 1990.

The original Strider game was popular, but Capcom had trouble building it into a lasting series. After the initial release on NES, which played quite differently, they didn’t create a new Strider game for almost twenty years. Eventually, Strider became just another face in the Marvel vs. Capcom roster, leading some newer fans to believe he was created for that game.

Chibi-Robo! Combined a Deep Narrative With Fun Gameplay

Platforming heroes don’t always need to be cuddly animal characters. Sometimes, like in Nintendo’s Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure, a unique character like a robot works perfectly. Instead of a typical quest to save the world, Chibi-Robo challenges players to find clever solutions for everyday household chores.

In the game, you play as Chibi-Robo, a tiny robot owned by the Sanderson family. His job is to help solve problems around their house. Originally, Chibi-Robo was going to be a different game entirely, but Nintendo executives changed its direction and created the title we know today.

The game unexpectedly changed direction, becoming more focused on jumping and exploring with lots of different mini-games to keep things interesting. Throughout these changes, the story still centered on the Sanderson family, letting it explore serious topics in a way that everyone could understand and enjoy.

I remember when Chibi-Robo! first came out, everyone was talking about how fresh and different it was! It got really good scores – an 8.2 from IGN and an 8 out of 10 from Edge Magazine. What I loved most was how it felt like stepping into a Pixar movie, with characters you genuinely cared about and gameplay that was just plain fun. Nintendo made a few more Chibi-Robo! games after that, but honestly, none of them ever quite captured that same special feeling as the original.

Pac-Man World 2 Explored the Pac-Man Universe

Most people remember Pac-Man from the classic arcade game. But in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Namco created a series of 3D Pac-Man games called Pac-Man World. The standout title in the series is Pac-Man World 2, where Pac-Man must rescue Pac-Land after the Ghosts steal a special Golden Fruit that was keeping a dangerous ancient ghost named Spooky locked away.

As a Pac-Man fan, I was really excited to play Pac-Man World 2, and it totally delivers! The game lets you roam around Pac-Man’s world in a way I haven’t seen before. You start by getting to explore Pac-Village, which is a great tutorial, and then you unlock a ton of levels – like, over two dozen spread across six different areas! While Pac-Man doesn’t collect power-ups quite as often as Mario, the game keeps things interesting with some cool side levels where you can drive a submarine or even go ice-skating. It’s a fun twist!

If you love the original Pac-Man, this game offers classic experiences, including visits to a reimagined Pac-Village. Pac-Man World 2 is considered one of the best 3D Pac-Man games and a wonderful celebration of this iconic character.

You know, it’s kinda sad when a game doesn’t really stick with people, even with a fresh coat of paint. Like, they recently remade Pac-Man World 2 as Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, and honestly, it barely made a splash compared to the bigger platformers that came out around the same time. It just didn’t seem to grab anyone’s attention, which is a bummer!

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus Combined Platforming With Stealth Adventure

Sly Cooper is a popular raccoon thief who’s known for pulling off daring heists with his crew. The games strike a great balance – they’re exciting enough for older players, but also have a charming and lighthearted style that kids will enjoy, making it fun for everyone.

Sucker Punch’s debut title, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus, was a huge success. It cleverly mixes smooth platforming with tricky stealth sections, creating a unique experience within the platforming genre. While Sly is vulnerable and can only take one hit, the game provides plenty of special abilities to help players navigate each level in different ways.

The Sly Cooper series is a classic PlayStation 2 game, remembered alongside titles like Jak and Daxter and Ratchet & Clank. Sucker Punch made three highly praised games for the PS2, but after completing the original trilogy, the developers shifted their focus to other projects, a common trend for platforming game series.

Sucker Punch moved away from making colorful, cartoon-style platforming games when they created the superhero series Infamous. Although the Sly Cooper games were well-made, they weren’t hugely popular, and Sony hasn’t released a remastered collection to bring them up to date.

Spyro: Year of the Dragon Perfected The Spyro Formula

During the original PlayStation’s lifespan, Spyro became one of its most recognizable and important game series. The purple dragon served as a key mascot for the console, helping it compete with rivals like Nintendo. Spyro: Year of the Dragon, released in 2000, was the third game in the series and came out near the end of the PlayStation’s popularity.

In Spyro: Year of the Dragon, the skilled dragon Spyro journeys into the Forgotten Realms to rescue stolen dragon eggs from an evil sorceress. This time, he’s not alone! Spyro teams up with his friends, each with special talents, to fight enemies and overcome challenges.

Spyro: Year of the Dragon was praised by critics and sold extremely well, becoming a major hit for the franchise. One of its strengths was a unique difficulty system that adjusted to each player’s skill level, making it accessible to everyone. It currently has a score of 91 on Metacritic and sold over three million copies upon release, a fantastic achievement for its time.

This marked the end of Insomniac Games’ involvement with Spyro, as they shifted their focus to the Ratchet & Clank series. While Spyro games continued to be released, they weren’t as good as the earlier titles. Despite a dedicated fanbase, the Spyro character is now owned by Activision, who prioritize development of the Call of Duty franchise.

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2026-02-27 21:43